Door latch



March 24, 1925. N. F. MATTESON DOOR LATCH Filed Feb. 27, 1922 2Sheets-Sheet L March 24, 1925. 1,530,507

N. F. MATTESON DOOR LATCH F iled Feb. 27, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIQQ.

6H0: Incl tracted so that oftentimes a Patented Mar. 24, 1925.

*UNITQE'DIYSTFATE'S NELSON FLOYDEZMATTESON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OFCOLUMBIA.

' noon LAToH.

Application filed February 27, 1922. Serial No. 589,491.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NnLsoN FLOYDE Mar TESON, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing at WVashington, in the Dis-- trict ofColumbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in DoorLatches, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in latchesfor doors,

particularly serviceable in connection with the swinging doors ofautomobiles.

In the usual forms of latches for automobiles doors, a sliding bolt isnormally spring projected and so held until manually repersons clothingis torn on the projecting bolts when getting in and out of anautomobile. In addition to this, these projecting latch bolts preventready closing of the door, and in order to effect latching of the doorin closed position, the door must be slammed or swung closed withconsiderable force to overcome the action of the spring which projectsthe sliding bolt and cause the bolt to be forced to retracted positionby engagement of a beveled face of the bolt with the keeper.

This forceful closing of the door causes,

considerable annoying jars and undesirable loud noise.

It is the primary vention, to provide doors of the spring wherein aprovision object of the present ina latch for automobile projected bolttype is manually moved to its retracted position,

which means is automatically releasable bythe door in closing forpermtitthe jar of ting the retracted bolt to be projected for engagementwith the keeper.

' nother object of the invention is to provide for retention of the boltin retracted position subject to impact of a jar in closing the door,either in a partially retracted positionedor in a position whereby the"retracted at a predetermined positioned b'etween the projected andcompletely retracted positions.

is made for automatical-- ly retaining the bolt retracted when the samebeing released upon the VVith-the above general objects in view andothers that will appear as the nature of better understood, theinvention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement ofparts hereinafter more fully described in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters designatesimilar parts throughout the views.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective inside view of an automobiledoorpartly broken away, equipped with a latch constructed in accordancewith the present invention, 7 V

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the latch h0wn. in Figure 1 withport-ions of the latch handle removed,

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Figure 2looking to the right of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line'IV-'IV of Figure 2,

.Figure 5 is atop plan view' shown in Figure 2, V

Figure 6 isa -substantially central horiz ontal sectional view of thedevice shown of the device in Figure 2, with the bolt completely re-'tracted,

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the bolt retaining member of thelatch shown in Figure 2,

'Figure 8 is another the device shown in Figure ferent side thereof,

'Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a modified form of theinvention Figure 10 is a'view similar to Figure 6 of the device shown inFigure 9 with the bolt projected,

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 6 of the latch shown in Figure 9with the bolt partially retracted, and

Figure 12 is a'view'similar to Figure 11 with the bolt completelyretracted.-

Referring-'rnore in detail to the several views, andiparticularlytoFigures 1 to 8 inclusive, the present invention is shown embodied in adoor latch of the sliding bolt type wherein a two part casing isprovided embodying a relatively large plate 5 having one end bent atright angles as at 6 or formed in this relation, the plate 5 beingprovidedwith suitable corner openings 7 to admit screws 8 or the likefor fastening perspective view of 7 taken at a difthe casing to theusual door 9 with the portion 6 of the plate flush with the verticaledge of the door which is free and the portion flush with the inner wallof the door which is usually covered with aheavy leather or the like asclearly illustrated in Figure 1. The other memiber of the casingcomprises a smaller somewhat pan shaped sheet metal member 10 withprojecting lugs riveted in suitable openings in the plate members orattached to the member 5 in. any other suitable or well known manner soas to pro vide a bolt chamber 12 (see Figure 6) in which is positioned ahorizontal sliding latch bolt 13 which is normally projected through anopening 1lin the plate portion 6 as shown in the several views forengagement with the usual keeper, (not shown) to hold the'door closed,by means of a spring 15. The bolt 13 is shown as slidably guided bymeans of a lug 16 thereon projecting through a horizontal elongated slot17 in the casing member 10, and the bolt 13 also projects through a slotin the outer side of the member 10 so that the outer end of the bolt isedectively held against upward or downward lateral movement whenprojected or retracted.

The spring is shown as of the coiled type having its inner end suitablyanchored to a post 18 rigid with the plate member 5 and having its outerend extended laterally and bearing against the outer wall of a slot 19provided in a bolt 13 whereby said spring forcibly projects said bolt.This outer wall of the slot 19 is engaged as at 20 by the outer end ofthe spring 15, and said spring exerts a force in a direction to pro jectthe bolt 13. The bolt is laterally tiltable inwardly and outwardly andwill be forced laterally in a manner to be described, when entirelyretracted, so as to engage behind the plate portion 6 as shown in Figure6, automatically, when said bolt is completely retracted so that thebolt will remain completely retracted and out of the way in order thattearing of the clothing thereon will not occur. It is noted that thedirection of movement of the bolt 13 laterally is the same as thedirection of the movement of the door in opening so that when the dooris closed the slight jar which occurs will cause lateral movement of thebolt in the opposite direction for aligning the bolt with the slot oropening 14 and allowing said bolt to be immediately projected into thekeeper by spring 15. In this way there is noneed of forceful slamming ofthe door to effect latching of the same.

In order to permit manual retracting of the bolt 13, a vertical shaft 23may be pivoted in suitable bearings 24 provided on the plate portion 5,which shaft is formed with a lateral extension at its upper end toprovide a handle 26 and has alug or integral arm 26 extending laterallytherefrom at its lower end portion, which arm 26 is disposed to engagethe outer end of the bolt enlargement or lug 16 as shown in Figure 6, toplay within the slot 19.0f said bolt. It will be apparent that uponrotation of the shaft 23 with a position so that the.

bolt is projected, the bolt 13 may be retracted to the position shown inFigure 6 by reason of the engagement of the arm 26 with the engagement16 of said bolt, the bolt 13 being immediately automatically movedlaterally to engage the plate member 6 when the bolt passes the inneredge of the adjacent wall of the opening 14:. The bolt is retainedretracted until the door is closed, and when the latter occurs, theslight jar causes lateral movement of the bolt in the opposite directionso that the bolt and opening 14 are aligned andspring 15 immediatelyprojects said bolt outwardly through the opening 14 to engage the usualkeeper, not shown, for holding door closed.

its the end of the spring 15 which engages the bolt 13 is locatedoutwardly of the transverse center and inwardly of the longitudinalvertical center of the bolt- 13, and the operating lug 26 engages thelug 16' inwardly of said transverse center and outwardly of saidlongitudinal center, the bolt 13 is naturally tilted laterally to engagebehind the plate member 6, when completely retracted. It is obvious thatwhere this par ticular relationship of parts is not found in bolts,spring means may be employed for laterally tilting the bolts.

It may often occur that, due to lackof care on the part of the personopening the door, the latch 13 may not be completely retracted to theposition for permitting said.

latch bolt to engage behind the plate me-m her 6. Means is provided forretaining the bolt 13 retracted partially should this occur. For thispurpose, the outer end of the bolt is provided with a lateral lug 27,preferably on its lower side, and adapted to be engaged by the head of ascrew 28 carried by a laterally tiltable bolt retaining member 29 whichis pivoted upon a horizontal axis by means of pins 30 adjacent to theplate member 6, the member 29 being normally tilted in a. direction toengage the head of the bolt 28 with the lug 27 by means of a spring 31located in a suitable longi tudinal groove 32 provided in the inner faceof the member 29. The relationship of the head of the screw 28 and thelug 27 is such as toprovide for engagement of these parts when the boltis only partially retracted as shown in Figure 2, the bolt in thisposition, however, being sufficiently retracted to disengage from thekeeper, (not shown). By adjusting the screw 28, the proper position ofits head may be had should the rela- Hit) tive posit-ion of the latchand its keeper vary in connection with different doors or in con nectionwith any one door by the separation of the body part of the automobileunder continuous use. In order to provide for this adjustment an opening33 is provided in the plate portion 6 to admit a screw driver so thatits shank may .be engaged with the kerf in the head of the bolt 28. v

The free end of the spring 31 is preferably engaged in the kerf of thehead of an adjusting screw 3% carried by the free end of the member 29so that when said screw 34 is adjusted relative to the member 29 thetension of the spring 31, may be regulated for giving a predeterminedforce to the movement of the member 29 in the direction whereinengagement of the head of screw of bolt 28 is had with the lug 27. Theplate member 5 is provided with an opening 35 for the admission of ascrew driver so as to adjust the screw 34% for regulating the tension ofspring 31. The member 29 is operable by the jar of the door, whenclosing, for being swung against the action of the spring 31 todisengage the headot the bolt 28 from the lug 27 and to thereby permitprojection of the bolt 13.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 9 to 12 inclusive, thelatch casing embodies a plate portion 5 with the end plate portion 6extending at right angles thereto and provided with an opening 14.through which the bolt 13 is projected by means of the spring 15 asabove described with respect to Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, the bolts 13"being provided with a guiding lug 16 engaged by an arm 26 of shafts 23for retracting said bolt 13.

The construction of the latch shown in these figures is substantiallythe sameas above described with respect to Figures'l to 8 inclusiveexcept that the means for retaining the bolt 13 in partially retractedposition is slightlydifierent. In this form of the invention the boltwill automatically tilt laterally to engage behind the plate portion 6when com: pletely retracted, and said bolt embodies the lateralenlargement 36 adapted to engage a sliding adjustable bolt retainingmember 37 for holding the bolts 13 partially retracted as shown inFigure 11 should the operator of the latch fail to completely retractthe same.

The member 37 comprises a sheetmetal position which is predeterminedasthe best for retaining the bolt 13 partially retracted and disengagedfrom its keeper. Thehead of the adjusting screw 41 isaccessible at theplate portion 6 for being readily engaged by a screw driver so as toadjust the position of the bolt retaining member 37. By means of thisconstruction the bolt 13 may be retracted so as to partially projectthrough the opening 1a whereupon the bolt will tilt laterally forengaging its 13 inwardly and permit said bolt to be I immediatelyprojected by spring 15.

It will be observed that none of the latch mechanism projecttrom thekeeper-facing end of the latch when the door or' other object' to whichthe latch is attached is opened. The movement of the bolt to lockedposition when retracted is in a direction opposite to the movement ofthe door to closing position. In this way the bolt will acquire momentumupon the closing of the door and the stopping of the door will cause thebolt to move under said momentum sufficiently to disengage the bolt fromits retaining means. In other words, there is a relative movementbetween the latch casing or the bolt-engaging means and the bolt whenthe door or other object to which the latch is attached is arrestedafter its closing movement. The bolt remains retracted as long as thedoor is open and until the door is fully closed. The relative movementof the bolt and its holding device is relied upon entirely to cause therelease of the bolt when in latching position and there are no parts ofthe mechanism which project outside the keeper-facing end of the latch.j

While I have shown my invention applied to a door and have so describedit, it is understood that it may be applied to other objects havingopening and closing movements where latches are serviceable.

It is believed that the construction and operation. as well as theadvantages of the Hit] presentinvention will be imderstood andappreciated by those skilled in the art.

Minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as claimed.

The head of the screw 28 preferably frictionally engages the adjacentwall of the member 29 as shown in Fig. at so that accidental change inthe adjustment thereof due to jars and the like, will not occur.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is 1. In alatch for doors, a spring projected bolt, means to manually retract saidbolt to door releasing position, means to auton'iatically retain thebolt retracted providing for the automatic release of the bolt forprojection upon the occurrence of a jar through the sudden stopping ofthe door in closing, and means to automatically retain the boltpartiallyretracted providing for the automatic release of the bolt for projectionupon the occurrence of jar through sudden stopping of the door inclosing, whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partiallyretracted-position.

In combination with a spring irojected latch bolt and means tocon'ipletely retract the same, of a casing including a plate portionthrough which the bolt is projected, and behind which the bolt isretractable when completely retracted, means to automatically laterallytilt sa d bolt to engage the same behind said plate portion when thebolt is completely retracted for holding said bolt so retractedreleasably, said bolt being laterally movable in the opposite directionby the jar of the door in closing so as to automatically disengage thesame from behind said plate portion and permit proj ection of the same,and jar releasable means for retaining the bolt in partially retractedposition.

3. In combination with a spring projected latch bolt and means tocompletely retract the same, of a casing including aplate portionthrough which the bolt is projected and behind wh'ch the'bolt isretractable when completely retracted, means to automatically laterallytilt said bolt to engage the same behind said plate portion when thebolt is completely retracted for holding 7 said bolt so retractedreleasably, said bolt being laterally movable in the opposite directionby the jar of the door in closing so as to automatically disengage thesame from behind said plate portion and permit projection of the same,and jar releasable means for retaining the bolt in partially retractedposition, said last named means being adjustable for retaining the .boltpartially re tracted in a predetermined pos tion between projected andcompletely retracted positions of the bolt.

4;. A door latch including a spring projected bolt, a casing for saidbolt including a plate member through which said bolt is projectable,manual means for retracting the bolt inwardly of said plate portion,means to automatically tilt said bolt laterally when completelyretracted inwardly of said plate portion whereby said bolt is heldretracted, said last named means permit ting lateral yielding of thebolt in the opposite direction for release of the same through theoccurrence of ajar caused by the door closing, and means for retainingthe bolt partially retracted and from which the bolt is automaticallyreleasable upon occurrence of such jar.

5. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, whereina spring is associated with the bolt for normally projecting the nose ofthe bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associatedwith the bolt for manually retracting the same, and wherein the bolt isreleased from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of ajar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, the points ofengagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft being at oppositesides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same duringretraction to dispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening in thecasing for holding the bolt retracted.

6. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, whereina spring is associated with the bolt for normally projecting the nose ofthe bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associatedwith the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt isreleased from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of ajar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, said bolt having alongitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaft extendingthrough the bolt slot, and the points of engagement between the bolt,and spring and shaft finger being at opposite sides of the longitudinalaxis of the bolt for canting the same dur-' ing retraction to disposethebolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing for holding the boltretracted.

7. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, whereina spring is associated with the bolt for normally projecting the nose ofthe bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associatedwith the bolt for manually re tracting the same, wherein the bolt isreleased from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of ajar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, said bolt having alongitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaft extendingthrough the bolt slot, and the points of engagement between the bolt,and spring and shaft finger being at opposite sides of the longitudinalaxis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction to dispose thebolt nose laterally of the opening inthe casing for holding the boltretracted, the spring and shaft finger engaging opposite end walls ofthe bolt slot.

8. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, whereina spring is associated with the bolt for normally pro ecting the nose ofthe bolt through an opening in the casin wherein a shaft is associated.

with the bolt for manually'retracting the jection upon the occurrence ofjar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, whereby the bolt isreleasably held incompletely or partially retracted position.

9. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, whereina spring is associated with the bolt for normally project ing the noseof the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft isassociated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein thebolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon 0ccurrence of a jar through suddenstopping of the door in closing, saidbolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaftextending through the bolt slot, the points of engagement between thebolt, and spring and shaft finger being atv opposite sides of thelongitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction todis pose the bolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing forholdingthe bolt retracted, and means to automatically retain the boltpartiallyretracted providing for the automatic release of the bolt forprojection upon the occurrence of jar through sudden stopping of thedoor in closing, whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely orpartially retracted position.

10. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt,wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally projecting thenose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft isassociated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein thebolt is released from a retracted position for projection uponoccurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, saidbolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaftextending through the bolt slot, the

points of engagement between the bolt, and

,spring and shaft finger being at opposite sides of the longitudinalaxis of theboltfor canting the same during retraction to dispose'thebolt nose laterally of the} openin in the casing for holding the boltretracted, the spring and shaft finger engaging oppo site end walls ofthe bolt slot, and means to automatically retain the bolt partiallyretracted providing for the automatic 'release of the boltfor'projection upon the occurrence ofjar through sudden stopping of thedoor in closing, whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely orpartially retracted position. I

11. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt,wherein a spring is associatedwith the bolt for normally projecting thenose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft isassociated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein thebolt is released from a retracted position for projection uponoccurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, thepoints of engagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft being atopposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the sameduring retraction to dispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening inthe casing for holding the bolt retracted, a variably tensioned tiltablemem ber carriedby said casing, an adjustable device on the tiltablemember, and an abutment formed on said bolt adapted to be engaged by thetension varying means for automatically retaining the bolt partiallyretracted and providing for the automatic release thereof for projectionupon'the occurrence of a jar whereby the bolt is releasably held incompletely or partially retracted position.

12.111 a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt,wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally project-v ingthe nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaftis associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, whereinthe bolt is released from a re tracted position for projectionuponoccurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the 'door in closing,said bolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by theshaft. extending through the bolt slot, the points of engagement betweenthe bolt, and spring and shaft'finger being at opposite sides of thelongitudinal axis of the bolt'for canting the same during retraction todispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing for holdingthe bolt retracted, a

variably tensioned tiltable member carried by said casing, an adjustabledevice on'the tiltable member, and an abutment formed on said boltadapted to be engaged by the ad- 'j-justable device for automaticallyretaining the bolt partially retracted and providing for the automaticrelease thereof for projection upon the occurrence'of a jar whereby thebolt is releasably held in completely or partially retracted position.

' 13. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch boltwherein a spring is associated'withthe bolt for normally projecting thenose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein ashaft isassociated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein thebolt is released from a retracted position for projection uponoccurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing,said. bolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by theshaft extending through the bolt slot, the points of engagement betweenthe bolt, and spring and shaft finger being at opposite sides of thelongitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction todispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing for holdingthe bolt retracted, the spring and shaft finger engaging opposite endwalls of the bolt slot, a variably tensioned tiltable member carried bysaid casing, an adjustable device on the tiltable member, and anabutment formed on said bolt adapted to be engaged by the adjustabledevice for auton'iatically retaining .the bolt partially retracted andproviding for the automatic release thereof for projection upon theoccurrence of a jar whereby the bolt is releasibly held in completely orpartially retracted position.

14:. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a. latch bolt,wherein aspring is associated with the bolt for normally proj ecting thenose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft isassociated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein thebolt is released from a retracted position for projection uponoccurrence of a ar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, thepoints of engagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft being atopposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the sameduring retraction to dispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening inthe casing for holding the bolt retracted, adjustable means carried bysaid casing, and said bolt being constructed for cooperation therewithfor automatically retaining the bolt partially retracted and providingfor the automatic release thereof for projection upon the occurrence ofa jar whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partiallyretracted position.

15. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt,wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally projecting thenose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft isassociated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein thebolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon occursitesides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same duringretraction to dispose the bolt nosela-terally of the opening in thecasing for holding the bolt retracted, adjustable means carried by saidcasing, and said bolt being constructed for cooperz tion therewith forautomatically retaining the bolt partially retracted and providing forthe autoi'nat-ic' release thereof for proj ect-io-n upon the occurrenceof a jar whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partiallyretracted position.

16. In a latch for doors, wherein acasing incloses a latch bolt, whereina spring is associated with the boltfor normally projecting the nose ofthe bolt through an opening in the casing, Whereina shaft is associatedwith the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt isreleased from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of ajar throughsudden stopping of the doorin closing, said bolt having alongitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaft extendingthrough the bolt slot,

and spring and shaft finger being'at. opposite sides of the longitudinalaxis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction to dispose thebolt nose latterally of the opening in the casing for holding the boltretracted, the spring and shaft finger engaging opposite end walls ofthe bolt slot, adjustable means carried by said casing, and saidboltbeing constructed for cooperation therewith for automaticallyretaining the bolt partially retracted and providing for the automaticrelease thereof for projection upon the occurrence of ajar whereby thebolt is releasably held in completely or partially retracted position.

17 In a latch for doors wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, whereina spring is associated with the latch bolt for normally projecting thenose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, and wherein manualmeans is provided for retract-ing the'bolt,

being disengaged from the casing by inertia at the time of 'a jar or thesudden stopping of the door during closing. 7

18. In a latch for doors wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt,whereina spring is associated with the latch bolt for normallyprojecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing,wherein manual means is provided for retracting the bolt, said boltduring retraction thereof being laterally shifted, and a bolt engagingmem ber within the casing, the bolt during retraction being soheld bycontact with either the casing or bolt engaging member and adapted to bereleased therefrom by momentum induced by a jar incident to the closingof a door,

19. In .a latch for doors, a latch member, a spring associated with thelatch member for moving the same to its locked position, means formoving the latch member to its retracted position, means for retainingthe latch member in a retracted position, the latch member beingreleased for movement to its locked position by momentum created by thesudden stopping of the door during closing.

20. In a latch for doors, a latch member, a spring associated with thelatch member for moving the same to its locked position, means formoving the latch member to a retracted position, means for retaining thelatch member in a completely retracted position, and means for holdingthe latch member partially retracted, the latch member being moved fromits complete or partially retracted position by momentum occasioned by aar during the sudden stopping of the door in closing.

21. In a latch for doors, a latch member, a spring associated with thelatch member for moving the same to its locked position, means formoving the latch member to a retracted position, means for retaining thelatch member in a retracted position, and means for holding the latchmember partially retracted, the latch member being moved from itspartially retracted position by momentum of the means for holding thesame partially retracted occasioned by a jar during the sudden stoppingof the door in closing.

' 22. A latch, comprising a bolt spring pressed to latching engagementwith its keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, andmeans automatically engaging the bolt as soon as retracted from whichthe bolt is released by a relative movement of the bolt and its holdingmeans when the door or other object to be latched is arrested after itsclosing movement.

23. A latch, comprising a bolt springpressed to latching engagement withits keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, and meansautomatically engaging the bolt as soon as retracted from which the boltis released by a relative movement of the bolt and its holding meanswhen the door or other object to be latched is arrested after itsclosing movement, said relative movement being due entirely totheinertia of the bolt or its holding means.

24. A latch, comprising a bolt spring pressed to latching engagementwith its keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, andmeans wholly removed from the keeper-facing end of the latch forautomatically causing the engagement of the bolt with holding means assoon as retracted from which holding means the bolt is released by arelative movement of the bolt and its holding means when the door orother object to which the latch is attached is arrested after itsclosing movement.

25. A latch, comprising a bolt springpressed to latching engagement withits keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, and holdingmeans which engages the bolt when retracted and from which the bolt isreleased solely by momentum when the door or other object to which thelatch is attached is arrested after its closing movement.

26. A latch, comprising a bolt springpressed to latching engagement withits keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, a holdingdevice for the bolt, means Wholly removed from the keeperfacing end ofthe latch for moving the bolt into engagement with its holding means,said bolt being automatically released from its holding means by arelative movement of the bolt and its holding means when the door orother object to which the latch .is attached is arrested after itsclosing movement.

27. A latch, comprising a bolt springpressed to latching engagement withits keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, means fortilting the bolt transversely to its longitudinal axis when retractedand which means is Wholly removed from the keeper-facing end of thelatch, and means for holding the bolt in retracted position from whichthe bolt is released by a relative movement of the bolt and its holdingmeans when the door or other object to which the latch is attached isarrested after its closing movement. I

28. A latch, comprising a bolt, a spring normally tending to move thebolt into latching engagement with its keeper and which also serves tomove the bolt in anotherdirection when retracted, means for retractingthe bolt, and means for engaging the bolt when retracted from whichretracted position the bolt is released solely by its momentum when thebolt reaches latch-engaging position with its keeper when the door orother object to which the latch is attached is arrested after itsclosing movement.

29. A latch for doors mounted to open and close, comprising a boltmovable to latching position in a direction at an angle to the closingmovement of the door, means for retracting the bolt, means for moving itslightly when retracted in a direction opposite to the closing movementof the door, and means for retaining the bolt in its retracted positionfrom which position it is released by its momentum when the door orother object to which the latch is attached is arrested after itsclosing movement.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

NELSON FLOYDE MATTESON.

